Transport Heritage NSW joined Transport for NSW and Bathurst Regional Council over the June long weekend to celebrate 150 years since the railway first arrived in Bathurst.

Across the three‑day event, some 3,400 passengers enjoyed a journey behind heritage steam locomotive 3526, enjoying regular steam train rides from Bathurst Station to Wimbledon and return, as well as a return journey to Orange. The visit is estimated to have injected over $500k into the Central West’s visitor economy.

THNSW CEO Andrew Moritz said the anniversary was a rare chance for the public to experience a living piece of the state’s transport history.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for THNSW to commemorate a significant milestone for the NSW Railways,” Mr Moritz said.

“Locomotive 3526 first entered service in 1917 and remains one of the finest examples of NSW steam heritage still operating today. It is especially fitting that the locomotive returned to Bathurst as part of the 150‑year celebrations.”

NSW TrainLink and Bathurst Regional Council complemented the steam operations with a full weekend program, including a re‑enactment of the station’s 1876 opening, the community‑focused Steam Social, market stalls, and discounted entry to the Bathurst Rail Museum.

Bathurst has long been a significant part of the state’s railway network, serving as a major operational and maintenance hub for steam locomotives throughout much of the 20th century.

“At its peak, more than 500 railway employees worked in Bathurst maintaining and operating the steam locomotives based there,” Mr Moritz said.

“The city’s railway heritage is deeply woven into its identity. Even former Prime Minister Ben Chifley began his career at the Bathurst Locomotive Depot, working his way up to become a driver before entering politics.”

THNSW extends its thanks to Bathurst Regional Council and NSW TrainLink for their support in bringing locomotive 3526 back to the Central West for this significant anniversary.